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Selasa, 16 Juni 2009

Unique group headlines this year's point guard draft class

While most pundits agree that the 2009 NBA Draft is fairly shallow in terms of star-power and overall depth, that certainly does not apply to this year's point guard class. As many as 13 point guards could get drafted in the first round, which would easily shatter the record. The most PGs taken up until this year was seven, in 2006.

What makes this group unique is how closely clustered together they are in terms of their draft stock more than any other year, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each organization will likely target the type of point guard that best fits their system, existing personnel and overall philosophy.

With that in mind, let's look at the different types of point guards we have in this year's draft, in terms of the most attractive attribute they bring to the table.

Best Shot-Maker: Stephen Curry

The difference between a great shooter and a great shot-maker lies in a player's ability to go out and get his own shot. That's precisely what separates the great college scorers (see J.J. Redick, Adam Morrison) from the best pro prospects.

Unlike almost any other player in this draft, Stephen Curry might find it a lot easier getting his shot off in the NBA compared with his experience in college. The spacing is better, his teammates will actually pose a threat to opposing defenses, he won't be forced to deal with double and triple teams on every possession, and he might actually get a chance to set his feet for a jumper once in a while.

The experience Curry went through in college will make him a much better player in the NBA, where his shot-making ability and all-around feel for the game will make him a very valuable commodity.

Comparison: Mike Bibby

Best Court Vision: Ricky Rubio

Playing in a league where stat-keepers are far stingier handing out assists than on this side of the ocean, Ricky Rubio regardless found a way to lead all players in this draft by a huge margin in assists per-minute.

Watching him play, you regularly see him thread the needle on incredible passes from impossible angles, and do so without the slightest hint of indecision. Sometimes it leads to turnovers, but more often than not, he makes his teammates much better than they actually are by finding them right underneath the rim for easy buckets.

That alone will make him a very popular figure in his team's locker room right off the bat, and should ease his transition to the NBA significantly.

Comparison: Steve Nash

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